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speedometer changes with upsize tires

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Old Feb 1, 2011 | 08:44 PM
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Default speedometer changes with upsize tires

I just put an 18/19 wheel and tire package on my 02Z. Looking at the old and the new tires it's a little taller. A friend told me that the computer automatically makes changes to adjust speedometer calibrations. I think that the changes have to be loaded with a programmer or a tune . Can anybody shed some light on this or is it not enough of a difference to bother with it.?
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Old Feb 1, 2011 | 09:12 PM
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Nope, you're fine. The vehicle speed sensor is located on the differential.
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Old Feb 2, 2011 | 10:24 AM
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What size tires are on the rear now?

Russ Kemp
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Old Feb 2, 2011 | 11:29 AM
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285/35/19
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Old Feb 2, 2011 | 11:55 AM
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Originally Posted by YeloFevr
Nope, you're fine. The vehicle speed sensor is located on the differential.
Yeah, it's counting rotations - HOWEVER, one rotation will now move you farther - thus faster. In the programming, you need to put in the new rear tire size. That will fix the calibration. It will NOT fix itself.
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Old Feb 2, 2011 | 11:59 AM
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As long as the ratios are the same between the old and new you'll be fine but it's not only the speedo you have to worry about it's the traction control. I have winters on the fronts and backs and the front's are slightly larger than the factories so when I floor it the traction control kicks in but if I turn the TC off then it's fine, no big deal, but just something to be aware of.
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Old Feb 2, 2011 | 12:02 PM
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Originally Posted by themonk
As long as the ratios are the same between the old and new you'll be fine but it's not only the speedo you have to worry about it's the traction control. I have winters on the fronts and backs and the front's are slightly larger than the factories so when I floor it the traction control kicks in but if I turn the TC off then it's fine, no big deal, but just something to be aware of.
You are correct that a bad ratio will cause TC issues. However, even if the ratios are correct, a change in tire height will cause speedo miscalibration issues.
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Old Feb 2, 2011 | 12:10 PM
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So it looks like the thing to do is to get a hand held programmer and put the new tire sizes in while dialing up the power or take it to a tuner and have it done.
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Old Feb 2, 2011 | 12:11 PM
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Figure out the circumference of the old and new tires, if they are very close to the same then there is no issue.
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Old Feb 2, 2011 | 12:14 PM
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Originally Posted by doje
You are correct that a bad ratio will cause TC issues. However, even if the ratios are correct, a change in tire height will cause speedo miscalibration issues.
So for argument sake all the tires are the same size and you go from a 275/40/18 to a 285/35/19 the speedo will be out?
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Old Feb 2, 2011 | 12:22 PM
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Originally Posted by themonk
So for argument sake all the tires are the same size and you go from a 275/40/18 to a 285/35/19 the speedo will be out?
Here is the calculation for the tire size you put in your post
275/40/18
tire diameter -26.661
Tire Circumference - 83.758

285/35/19
tire diameter -26.854
Tire Circumference - 84.364

The circumference is out by a half inch so the speedo will not be effect that much not enough to be worried about.
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Old Feb 2, 2011 | 12:23 PM
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Plug in anything you want to find out.


http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html
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Old Feb 2, 2011 | 12:29 PM
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You could just borrow someone's GPS if you do not have one and go for a ride. The GPS will tell you how fast you are going. I found mine to be pretty accurate across three cars so I have no reason to believe it can't be used to tell you if your speedo is now off or if its still tracking correctly. From there decide what you want to do.
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Old Feb 2, 2011 | 12:46 PM
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Originally Posted by Zilla
Here is the calculation for the tire size you put in your post
275/40/18
tire diameter -26.661
Tire Circumference - 83.758

285/35/19
tire diameter -26.854
Tire Circumference - 84.364

The circumference is out by a half inch so the speedo will not be effect that much not enough to be worried about.
with the tires being so close in height, you will only be off by about 1/2 mph at a speed of 80 mph. Nothing I would worry about.
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Old Feb 2, 2011 | 02:10 PM
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The "right way" to make sure the speedo and odometer are correct is with a hand held programmer like the GM Tech II. You program in your current tire size and the computer does the rest.
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Old Feb 2, 2011 | 02:15 PM
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Originally Posted by steve8
Plug in anything you want to find out.


http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html
that's what I use.
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Old Feb 3, 2011 | 06:43 PM
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Thanks for the input guys.
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